Host plasticity supports spread of an aquaculture introduced virus to an ecosystem engineer

Abstract Background The common cockle Cerastoderma edule plays an important ecological role in the marine ecosystem both as an infaunal engineer (reef forming and bioturbation) and a food source for protected bird species in its European range. Cockle beds are found in close proximity to aquaculture...

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Main Authors: Babette Bookelaar, Sharon A. Lynch, Sarah C. Culloty
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2020-10-01
Series:Parasites & Vectors
Subjects:
Online Access:http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13071-020-04373-y
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author Babette Bookelaar
Sharon A. Lynch
Sarah C. Culloty
author_facet Babette Bookelaar
Sharon A. Lynch
Sarah C. Culloty
author_sort Babette Bookelaar
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background The common cockle Cerastoderma edule plays an important ecological role in the marine ecosystem both as an infaunal engineer (reef forming and bioturbation) and a food source for protected bird species in its European range. Cockle beds are found in close proximity to aquaculture and fisheries operations, which can be “hot spots” for infectious agents including viruses and bacteria. Ostreid herpesvirus-1 microVar (OsHV-1 μVar) has spread to many Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas culture sites globally, where it has been associated with significant mortalities in this cultured bivalve. Knowledge on the impact of the virus on the wider ecosystem, is limited. As the likelihood of released virus dispersing into the wider aquatic ecosystem is high, the plasticity of the virus and the susceptibility of C. edule to act as hosts or carriers is unknown. Methods In this study, wild C. edule were sampled biweekly at two C. gigas culture sites over a four-month period during the summer when OsHV-1 μVar prevalence is at its highest in oysters. C. edule were screened for the virus molecularly (PCR, qPCR and Sanger sequencing) and visually (in situ hybridisation (ISH)). The cockle’s ability to act as a carrier and transmit OsHV-1 μVar to the oyster host at a temperature of 14 ℃, when the virus is considered to be dormant until water temperatures exceed 16 ℃, was also assessed in laboratory transmission trials. Results The results demonstrated that OsHV-1 μVar was detected in all C. edule size/age cohorts, at both culture sites. In the laboratory, viral transmission was effected from cockles to naïve oysters for the first time, five days post-exposure. The laboratory study also demonstrated that OsHV-1 μVar was active and was successfully transmitted from the C. edule at lower temperatures. Conclusions This study demonstrates that OsHV-1 μVar has the plasticity to infect the keystone species C. edule and highlights the possible trophic transmission of the virus from cockles to their mobile top predators. This scenario would have important implications, as a greater geographical range expansion of this significant pathogen via migratory bird species may have an impact on other species that reside in bird habitats most of which are special areas of conservation.
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spelling doaj.art-fd20a1054fad4ef88a56b327514bd6ae2022-12-22T00:44:49ZengBMCParasites & Vectors1756-33052020-10-0113111010.1186/s13071-020-04373-yHost plasticity supports spread of an aquaculture introduced virus to an ecosystem engineerBabette Bookelaar0Sharon A. Lynch1Sarah C. Culloty2School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University College CorkSchool of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University College CorkSchool of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University College CorkAbstract Background The common cockle Cerastoderma edule plays an important ecological role in the marine ecosystem both as an infaunal engineer (reef forming and bioturbation) and a food source for protected bird species in its European range. Cockle beds are found in close proximity to aquaculture and fisheries operations, which can be “hot spots” for infectious agents including viruses and bacteria. Ostreid herpesvirus-1 microVar (OsHV-1 μVar) has spread to many Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas culture sites globally, where it has been associated with significant mortalities in this cultured bivalve. Knowledge on the impact of the virus on the wider ecosystem, is limited. As the likelihood of released virus dispersing into the wider aquatic ecosystem is high, the plasticity of the virus and the susceptibility of C. edule to act as hosts or carriers is unknown. Methods In this study, wild C. edule were sampled biweekly at two C. gigas culture sites over a four-month period during the summer when OsHV-1 μVar prevalence is at its highest in oysters. C. edule were screened for the virus molecularly (PCR, qPCR and Sanger sequencing) and visually (in situ hybridisation (ISH)). The cockle’s ability to act as a carrier and transmit OsHV-1 μVar to the oyster host at a temperature of 14 ℃, when the virus is considered to be dormant until water temperatures exceed 16 ℃, was also assessed in laboratory transmission trials. Results The results demonstrated that OsHV-1 μVar was detected in all C. edule size/age cohorts, at both culture sites. In the laboratory, viral transmission was effected from cockles to naïve oysters for the first time, five days post-exposure. The laboratory study also demonstrated that OsHV-1 μVar was active and was successfully transmitted from the C. edule at lower temperatures. Conclusions This study demonstrates that OsHV-1 μVar has the plasticity to infect the keystone species C. edule and highlights the possible trophic transmission of the virus from cockles to their mobile top predators. This scenario would have important implications, as a greater geographical range expansion of this significant pathogen via migratory bird species may have an impact on other species that reside in bird habitats most of which are special areas of conservation.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13071-020-04373-yOstreid herpes virus-1 microVarTrophicViral transmission dynamicsEcosystem engineerSpecies jumpPathogen-host-environment interplay
spellingShingle Babette Bookelaar
Sharon A. Lynch
Sarah C. Culloty
Host plasticity supports spread of an aquaculture introduced virus to an ecosystem engineer
Parasites & Vectors
Ostreid herpes virus-1 microVar
Trophic
Viral transmission dynamics
Ecosystem engineer
Species jump
Pathogen-host-environment interplay
title Host plasticity supports spread of an aquaculture introduced virus to an ecosystem engineer
title_full Host plasticity supports spread of an aquaculture introduced virus to an ecosystem engineer
title_fullStr Host plasticity supports spread of an aquaculture introduced virus to an ecosystem engineer
title_full_unstemmed Host plasticity supports spread of an aquaculture introduced virus to an ecosystem engineer
title_short Host plasticity supports spread of an aquaculture introduced virus to an ecosystem engineer
title_sort host plasticity supports spread of an aquaculture introduced virus to an ecosystem engineer
topic Ostreid herpes virus-1 microVar
Trophic
Viral transmission dynamics
Ecosystem engineer
Species jump
Pathogen-host-environment interplay
url http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13071-020-04373-y
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